Update on Mya #3

I have been scared to say anything but it seems she’s on the mend. Eating, drinking, going to the bathroom normally, minimal wobbling, more desire to explore, giving kisses, and starting to wag her tail (although it is still in a constant rainbow arc – i think this has to do with it throwing her off balance if it’s straightened out). Oh, she also gave a little bark this morning to wake me so she could go outside!

The only major issue right now is her sugar – it seems to be staying in the 400’s. The vet said that some infections can create a resistance to insulin. If her sugar stays high consistently, she will need to go in for IV fluids to flush some of the excess glucose out.

I asked the vet if giving her insulin and waiting to feed her does more harm than good and she said it does because of the way the insulin works – it increases in “power” until it peaks about 4-6 hours after administering the shot, and then it decreases. The food breaks down and creates the most glucose 4-6 hours after consumption. So delaying intake of food throws the cycles off. She also said it is imperative to maintain the 12 hour schedule between feedings right now. When I asked about increasing her insulin, she said that she is leery because Mya is so sensitive to increases and to only do it if we are going to be home with her 24/7. She also reiterated that an increase may do nothing if the infection is causing insulin resistance.

I also asked the vet what # is a critical glucose reading where it becomes a life or death situation. She said there is no real # and that she has seen dogs come in at 400 critical while others come in at 700. She said as long as Mya is acting okay, the number is just a number – except for if it is consistently at that number and not just a spike.

Again, we want to thank you all for keeping Mya and us in your prayers. Aside from her sheer will to live, we know that all of the prayers going around have certainly impacted the situation.

We (Mom and Me) are so happy for you and Mya and I will keep thinking the good thoughts for her.
I am Lexi, the good Episcopal dog. 🙂
PS Mom says it doesn’t matter that I am an Episcopal dog (as I like to call myself) or a Catholic dog (as I used to like to call myself) or a Jewish dog or a Muslim dog or any other kind of good dog because there is one God and what matters is that you believe.

We are happy that Mya seems to be improving. Is it possible that she had a stroke? One of my Scotties had the physical symptoms mentioned but recovered in a short period of time. The vet had told me that their eyes move back and forth horizontally when they are having a stroke an in most cases they recover within hours.

My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. His numbers were originally in the 400s. To my knowledge the norm for a cat is 70-140. We have been trying to regulate him. He is insulin dependent. His curves have not been great and his fructosamine test was still too high. He is on 4 units in the am and 3.5 in the pm (at present) (Lantus-glargine). He is doing much better this week. He is active and I don’t see large pees which is a big indicator. Fortunately, he is close to being regulated. His numbers are way down. He is only 6…young for a cat to get this condition. I could write so much more but won’t because this is about Mya.

I am not sure about dogs but just threw my thoughts out there in case it helps anyone and for you too to see.

It is quite an undertaking to manage a sick animal. Kudos to you. I am sure we all admire the great job you are doing.

This brought happy tears to my eyes! Such wonderful news. It’s interesting that infections can raise sugar levels in dogs too – my friend with diabetes experienced the exact same thing. She had a really tough time with her sugar levels while she was sick, and they didn’t normalize until the antibiotic worked. We will continue to keep Mya and you in our prayers, and Daisy is continuing to send super big Havachon hugs and strength to Mya.